UTA trends up in newest U.S. News national rankings
The University of Texas at Arlington earned recognition as one of the country’s top universities for academic rigor, research excellence and student success. The 2026 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list, released Tuesday, and other national rankings highlight UT Arlington’s expanded access and growing impact on students’ lives.
UT Arlington, a Carnegie R1 research university, rose to No. 122 among the nation’s best public universities in U.S. News’ rankings. Undergraduate programs in nursing, computer science, engineering and psychology also improved in their respective categories.
UTA also ranked No. 42 in social mobility among more than 400 universities nationwide, exemplifying UTA’s support for student socioeconomic advancement.
“We focus on achieving successful outcomes for our students by making higher education more accessible and reducing obstacles that impede students from thriving,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley said. “Our academic programs are attracting more students than ever before because we build strong connections between the classroom and careers and help our students land jobs that improve their lives.”
That commitment is reflected by UTA’s placement in the top half of the 2025 Forbes America’s Top Colleges list, which highlights 500 colleges that produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds while limiting student debt. UTA ranked No. 6 among public universities in Texas and No. 3 in the UT System.
Further reinforcing UTA’s reputation, Washington Monthly ranked UTA in the top 100 nationwide in its “2025 Best Colleges for your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars” rankings and No. 1 in Dallas-Fort Worth. The publication evaluates universities on their contribution to the public good in four key areas: access, affordability, outcomes and public service.
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UTA Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Tamara L. Brown praised faculty and staff for their role in the University’s success.
“I am grateful to our faculty and staff for their unwavering commitment to advancing student success,” said Dr. Brown. “With great intention, we have designed and developed resources that address the holistic needs of our students—and it is our dedicated faculty and staff who bring these initiatives to life. Our rising rankings are a strong indicator that our intentional efforts are having a meaningful impact on student outcomes.”
A cornerstone of UTA’s efforts to expand access to a world-class education for all Texans is its Blaze Forward initiative. Part of the UT System’s Promise Plus program, Blaze Forward covers tuition and mandatory fees for Texas residents from families who make less than $100,000 per year. Combined with other grants and scholarships, Blaze Forward is enabling 60% of full-time enrolled undergraduates this semester to attend with their tuition and mandatory fees fully covered.
UTA set a new enrollment record this fall with more than 5,100 first-time-in-college students—the largest freshman class in its 130-year history, a 7.6% increase compared to fall 2024. Total enrollment reached a school-record 42,710, up 2.6% from last year, and more students than ever are staying at UTA to complete their degrees, setting a new record for first-year student retention.
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UTA’s broad range of degree programs appeals to both traditional and non-traditional students, while graduates enjoy strong earning potential. According to Equifax data, 44% of UTA’s first-generation bachelor’s graduates purchased a home within five years of graduating, and their wages five years after graduation are 89% of their parents’ estimated household income—showing financial stability and long-term success.
These outcomes reflect UTA’s dedication to student success, a focus recognized in the newly released Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which named UTA one of the nation’s top universities for expanding access to higher education and supporting graduates in earning competitive wages.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.